Appearance: Most species of concern to man have yellow
and black coloring; seven-sixteenths to five-eighths inch
long; appear to have hairy bodies.
Habits: Live in colonies of 20,000 to 80,000 individuals; will
leave humans alone if not provoked.
Diet: Nectar and pollen.
Reproduction: Only one egg-laying queen in a hive; queen
may live as long as five years and lay as many as 1,500 to
2,000 eggs per day; worker females protect eggs and the
young; drones' only duty is to mate with queen, after which they die.
Other Information: Stings can be painful, but are harmless to most people; however, dangerous allergic reactions can occur.